El ámbar de la Cueva de los Cuarenta (Priego de Córdoba, Córdoba)

The presence of exotic objects in archaeological contexts and the long-distance exchanges that they implied are one of the most interesting topics in archaeological discussions. In this paper we present the study of a bead or pendant found in Neolithic contexts in Cueva de los Cuarenta (Priego de Cordoba). This is the only ornament found in the cave, where a minimum number of 41 inhumations dating in the course of the 4th millennium cal BC were documented. Archaeological context of the finding is described as well as its archaeometric characterization by Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTIR). Analytical results show that it is an amber bead made from foreign material, similar to the one used in later amber production such as those found at Valencina de la Concepcion (Sevilla). Similar to these, an exogenous provenance is proposed, Sicilian origin being the most likely up to date, which will contribute to the discussion on the implications these foreign materials might have had on Iberian prehistoric societies.